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Bougainvillea
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Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameBougainvillea
DescriptionSpectacular tropical vine renowned for its brilliant papery bracts in magenta, purple, pink, red, orange, white, or yellow that surround tiny cream-colored true flowers. The showy bracts persist for weeks, creating masses of vivid color year-round in warm climates. A vigorous, thorny climber perfect for covering walls, arbors, and fences in tropical and Mediterranean gardens, also grown as bonsai or container specimens.
FamilyNyctaginaceae
GenusBougainvillea
TribeBougainvilleae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ K(5) C0 A(5+5) G(1)

Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, 5 fused sepals (colorful), no petals, 10 stamens in 2 whorls of 5, 1 carpel with superior ovary. Formula describes tiny true flower, not showy bracts

Features
  • Named after French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville who encountered the plant in Brazil in 1768. The colorful 'petals' are actually modified leaves (bracts) - the true flowers are tiny, tubular, cream or white blooms at the center
  • Three papery bracts surround each cluster of 1-3 small tubular flowers. Bracts measure 1-2 inches and retain color for 4-6 weeks. True flowers are inconspicuous, 0.5 inches long, cream to white
  • Evergreen or semi-deciduous woody vine that blooms year-round in frost-free climates, with peak flowering in spring and fall. Can be trained as shrub, climber, or ground cover
  • Climbs 15-40 feet (4.5-12 m) with support, or grows 3-6 feet as shrub. Lifespan of 20+ years. Propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings. Features sharp thorns on stems
  • Native to coastal Brazil, Peru, and Argentina in South America. Now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, particularly Mediterranean climates
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best bract color. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Thrives in heat and tolerates poor, well-drained soil. Frost sensitive (damaged below 30°F/-1°C)
  • Excellent for hot, dry landscapes and coastal gardens (salt tolerant). Attracts butterflies. Deer resistant. Popular as bonsai, espalier, or container plant. Thorns and sap can cause skin irritation

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificBougainvillea spectabilis
English (Alternate)Paper Flower, Great Bougainvillea, Lesser Bougainvillea, and Paperflower
Hindiबोगनवेलिया (Boganveliya), कागज़ का फूल (Kagaz ka phool)
TamilKaagidap Poo (காகிதப் பூ)
Teluguకాగితం పువ్వు (Kagitam Puvvu), బోగన్ విల్లా (Boginvilya)
Malayalamബൊഗൈൻവില്ല (Boginvilya), കടലാസു പൂവ്-ചെടി (Kadalasupoovu-chedi)
Kannadaಬೋಗನ್‌ವಿಲ್ಲಾ (Bougainvillea), ಕಾಗದದ ಹೂ (Kaagadada Hoo), ಕೆಂಪುತುರಾಯಿ (Kempu turaayi)
Sanskritबूगनबेल् (buganbel), कागाजीफूल (kaagajeephul), बगन्बिलास (baganbilas)
Bengaliকাগজ ফুল (Kagoj Phul), বাগানবিলাস (Bagan Bilas)
Frenchbougainvillée, bougainvillier
Russianбугенвиллия (bugenvilliya)
Spanishbuganvilla, buganvilia, bugambilia, santa rita, veranera, trinitaria
GermanBougainvillea

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.